The New Zealand Special Service Medal (Nuclear Testing)
About this medal
This medal was instituted by Queen Elizabeth II in 2002 to recognise personnel who undertook special operations which are not normally recognised by a Campaign medal. The Royal Warrant allows for a number of variants of the award, and to date, three New Zealand Special Service Medals have been struck: the NZSSM (Nuclear Testing) (images shown above), the NZSSM (Asian Tsunami), and the NZSSM (Erebus).
The NZSSM (Nuclear Testing) recognises the service of those personnel who were part of an official New Zealand Government presence at an atmospheric nuclear test between 1956 and 1973. (Quick link to the dates and locations of the qualifying nuclear tests).
The award of the NZSSM does not qualify a recipient for the award of the New Zealand Operational Service Medal.
Royal Warrant
The Royal Warrant for the New Zealand Special Service Medal can be viewed here.
Medal Regulations
The Regulations for the New Zealand Special Service Medal (Nuclear Testing) can be viewed here.
Clasps and Bars
There are no clasps or bars for this medal.
Order of Wear
The position of this medal in the Wearing of Medals in New Zealand Table can be viewed here.
Naval Service which Qualify Persons for the NZSSM (Nuclear Testing)
- HMNZS Pukaki - 15 May 1957, 31 May 1957, or 19 June 1957
- HMNZS Rotoiti - 15 May 1957, 31 May 1957, or 19 June 1957
- HMNZS Pukaki - 8 November 1957
- HMNZS Rotoiti - 8 November 1957
- HMNZS Pukaki - 28 April 1958
- HMNZS Pukaki - 22 August 1958, 2 September 1958, 11 September 1958, or 23 September 1958
- HMNZS Otago - 22 July 1973
- HMNZS Canterbury - 28 July 1973
Quick Link
All Medals Listed by RNZN Deployment 3 September 1945 to 2009